By Andy Hyslop

Manchester United come up against Southampton at Old Trafford tomorrow with United looking to build on an unbeaten run at the start of 2016.

United’s 1-0 win over Liverpool last weekend made it three wins out of four games at the start of the new year. That run of results has United close the gap on Tottenham in fourth place and reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The return of midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has been influential in United’s recent results and the Frenchman is looking forward to coming up against his former team.

Schneiderlin and United enjoyed a 3-2 victory over the Saints at St Marys earlier in the season and will be looking to do the double over Southampton as they look to put the pressure on the teams above them.

Team News

United head into this game with the bad news that Ashley Young will be out for a extended period after picking up a severe groin injury against Liverpool and requires a operation.

United’s under-21s beat their Southampton counterparts 4-0 on Monday night and a number of the players involved in that win will be hoping to be involved tomorrow.

Predicted XI

United named the same starting eleven for the last two games against Newcastle and Liverpool but will need to make at least one change after the injury to Young.

Borthwick-Jackson replaced Young at Anfield and must be in contention to start this game. Other options for Van Gaal include recalling McNair after injury or using Varela at right-back with Darmian filling in at left-back.

Ahead of that we expect Van Gaal to name the same personal. Juan Mata will be hoping to return to starting line-up after two substitute appearances in recent games.

Opposition Focus

Southampton currently sit in tenth place in the Premier League table, sitting on 30 points and are looking to make it three wins in a row after home victories over Watford and West Brom.

Ronald Koeman has confirmed that new signing Charlie Austin will be involved at some stage after not signing in time to make his debut against West Brom last weekend.

The Saints have fitness concerns over Graziano Pelle and Matthew Targett. The concerns over Pelle means Shane Long will probably keep his place in the team despite the arrival of Austin.

A win for Southampton would make it back-to-back wins at Old Trafford for Koeman and his team.